THE WRECK OF THE FANNY KELLY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3551, 15 February 1886, Page 2

THE WRECK OF THE FANNY KELLY.

The Auckland Herald supplies the following additional particulars of tho wreck of the ketch Fanny Kelly while putting back to Wangai-ei for shelter: — "Tho ketch first canght tho rooks with her heel, and then slewed round broadside on to the sea, falling ont 9oawa>" 3 thus enabiiDg the heavy seas to mat" ->, breaches ovor tho vessel. From '' . clean wbb seen that there was no ' tne first it the vessel, and it was do I*'1 *' uopes of saving would bo able to -' ..utful whether anyone there was a, r- .each the shore alive, for picking it- ' sea running m, the seas aga>"" the ketch bodily and smashing her ..at the rocks. Ail the attention of Cuptain Williams and hia two men wcro turned to try and savo Mrs Turnbull and hrr threo children. They wero at first placed forward, ii 3 being the reost secure place, bnt soon after had to be taken to tho aftir-ond again. This was done several time 3, the little onus suffering terribly from tbo force of tho seas breaking over them, and it was ngonising to witness their sufferings. The ketch was rapidly breaking np, and all hopes of saving life was fnat ebbing away, as tho vessel was fnlly a mile off the main land. Captain Williams hold the youngest child, Isabel ; AVhale tho next eldest, Emily ; and Austin held Harriet, whilst Mrs Turnbnll held on to aropa made fast to the inizzenmast. The two youngest wero t!so first to succumb to tho forco of tho sens, they dying m tho arms of thoso holding them. Suddonly a heavy wave swept over tho vessel, and it carried all hands overboard, and then they were separated. Captain Willams did not sco Mrs Turnbnll or tho eldest child ufter that. Mr Anstin, who ncted as mate supplies the following statement : — ' At H. 30 a..m. all on board gavo up hope oE being saved, and wore offering np prayers for deliverance. I wns then holding on to tho uiizzenmnst. Hornet Turnbnll held me by tho waist, and Mrs Turnbull held me by one leg. Captain Williuins held to tho mizzon rigging with Isabel m his arms, and Whale held on to tho mainmast with the other little child firmly grasped bftwi'en his legs. A heavy 30a suddenly slrucU the kotch, audsho listed over. We wero all thrown into the sea, excepting Whale. He managed to clinib up the rigging clear of tho' sea, bnt m doing so he lost his hold of tho i;!iild, which was washed away. The first tiling I know was that I was m the water, with Harriet Tnrabull holding on to me by my shirt (I had only my shirt and trousers on), and Mrs Turnbull grasping mo by the leg. When we first roso to tho snrfaco Harriot Tnrabull hud disappeared, my shirt having torn m her hands. Mrs Tnrnbnll was still clinging to me. I caught hold of tho lanyard 3of tho mizzon rigging, whero I saw Whale standing. I called him to lend me a hand with Mrs Tnrnbull. Whale caught hold of mo, bnt suddenly Mrs Turnbull let go her hold. I was hauled on board by Whulo. We never sawj Mrs Turnbnll or tho children afterwards. T think the captain must have fallen down tho hold of tho vessel. Wo saw him coming out of tho hold, which was full of water. We grasped him and hauled him on to tho poop. Tho three of 113 remained on the ketch with difficulty for half an hour. Suddenly sho rose on a heavy sea, camo down, aud smashed m two. I grabbed tho fust thing that camo to me, which was tho niizonuiast. I saw tho oa P «"" clinging to a part of tho mizenmast, »o ° ?*" "Wte" "f the coop. With some difficulty I got on tho poop, and we afterwards managed to get tho captain 011. It took ns about half an honr to roach the rock which had just room for three of ua. After gotting ashore we slept m the bush, and afterwards wo went to Mr McGregor's Uouso, He treated

us very kindly, and gave us a shift of clothes." (Bt Telegraph.)